Are The Chemicals In Head Lice Remedies Dangerous To the Body?

Lice are a common problem that many parents of young children dread having to face. It doesn’t take long for a case of headlice to turn into an infestation, so it makes sense that patients want to find the quickest option available. A lot of people try at-home remedies for lice such as coating the hair with mayonnaise or peanut butter, but these methods are hardly effective. As a result, many patients opt for a chemical treatment, believing it will be the quickest and easiest route to a lice-free scalp, but this is not the case. Many of these treatments contain chemicals that are harmful to the body and the environment. Here are just a few of the popular chemical lice treatments and their effects on the body.

Lindane lice shampoo

One of the most popular chemical treatments for head lice is the Lindane lice shampoo. On the shelf, the bottle appears harmless, but what’s inside may surprise you. This second-line treatment is considered by most doctors to be extremely dangerous, and for good reason. What may look like a bottle of shampoo is actually a highly potent pesticide that has been banned in over 50 states. This pesticide is a neurotoxin that is absorbed through the skin of the lice, causing paralysis and then death. What they fail to mention on the bottle is that this neurotoxin can be absorbed by human skin too, potentially leading to some serious side effects. This product can damage the nervous system, the liver, and the kidneys. The chemical has been banned for agricultural use in the US, yet it is still one of the most common lice treatments for children. 

Carylderm/carbaryl

One of the less common chemical treatments for head lice is Carylderm. This chemical, categorized as a hazardous pesticide, poses a serious threat to both the lice and the person. When conducting studies on rats, scientists found that this chemical was responsible for multiple cell mutations in the subjects. It is believed that If a patient were to accidentally ingest this pesticide, then the same cell mutating effects would likely occur.

Stromectol

Reserved for head lice infestation patients, this treatment poses less threat to the user than the previous two. Stromectol contains Ivermectin, the same chemical used to treat heartworms and other parasites in dogs. Though this medication isn’t the worst option, side effects do include dizziness, headaches, and diarrhea.

Permethrin

This neurotoxin, found in almost every store-bought lice treatment kit, is advertised as safe for both the home and the hair. This chemical targets the central nervous system of the lice and causes spasms, followed by death. The bottle comes with two main warnings; First, if you come into contact with the chemical, rinse it off immediately. Second, if you happen to inhale the chemical, you may lose the ability to breathe. Not exactly something you would want to be spraying in your house. 

Effective Lice Treatment in Omaha, Nebraska

Lice Clinics Of America in Omaha is a company dedicated to chemical-free treatment for head lice. We offer a guaranteed, same-day lice treatment. If you want to learn more about lice or our chemical-free lice treatment, contact us today or visit our lice clinic in Omaha.